What actually moves the people of God forward?
Salt and Light Newsletter
December 31, 2025
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Pastor’s Thoughts
What actually moves the people of God forward?
Many believe it is motivation. A new calendar. A fresh surge of emotion. A well-timed sermon or conference. But if motivation were enough, most of us would already be standing where we long to be.
Scripture never instructs us to wait until we feel ready. It calls us to obey.
In John 5, a man lay by the Pool of Bethesda for thirty-eight years. His reasons were understandable. No help. No opportunity. No advantage. Yet when Jesus arrived, He did not debate the man’s feelings or validate his explanations. He gave a command:
“Rise, take up your bed and walk.”
The miracle followed obedience, not emotion.
This is where many believers struggle. We attempt to build a faithful life on feelings, and feelings were never meant to lead. They are unstable guides. They fluctuate with circumstances, energy, health, and disappointment. Obedience, however, is anchored to truth.
We also falter when we try to do God’s work in our own strength. Jesus made it unmistakably clear: “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” The Christian life is not powered by willpower but by abiding. Not striving harder, but staying closer.
And then there is this often-forgotten truth: we are not our own. We would never neglect or mistreat the building where we gather to worship, yet how often do we treat our own lives, disciplines, and callings as optional? Scripture tells us plainly that we were bought at a price. That truth reshapes how we think about faithfulness, stewardship, and daily obedience.
Guilt may provoke short-term action, but it cannot sustain lasting change. Fear can move us briefly; love moves us faithfully. As Paul reminds us, godly sorrow leads to repentance, not regret, not paralysis, but real transformation.
So as this year closes, I want to offer a gentle but serious encouragement.
Do not wait for motivation to catch up to obedience.
Do not delay faithfulness until circumstances improve.
Do not assume God’s direction requires perfect clarity before the first step.
Vision unfolds as God’s people walk.
Tomorrow, we will speak of new beginnings. Tonight, let us commit to something deeper: steady obedience, quiet trust, and faithful steps, one after another into whatever God has prepared next.
The Lord is leading us.
Now, let us walk with Him.
— Pastor Justin
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Celebrating New Life in Christ!
This past week, we rejoiced as two believers followed Christ in believer’s baptism at Salt &Light. We give thanks to God for the work He is doing in their lives. Let’s continue to encourage and walk alongside them as they grow in faith.
Join us in celebrating:
Lauren Engle
Jax Sauter
Hayden Sauter
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Church Happenings
New Year’s Eve - Wednesday December 31
There will be no dinner, service, or groups. All resume Wednesday, January 7.
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This Sunday – January 4 | 11 AM
Seeking the Lord for What’s Next
This Sunday, Pastor Justin will share what he believes the Lord has been laying on his heart regarding the future of Salt & Light Church. This will be a vision-focused moment meant to invite prayer, unity, and discernment as a church family. We encourage everyone to come ready to listen, pray, and trust the Lord as we seek His direction together.
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Women of the Word Bible Study- Tuesdays | 9:45-11:30 AM
at Sharon Holbert’s Home Continuing in the study of Daniel.
Questions? Contact Sharon 502-235-6687
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Prayer Meeting - Friday, January 9 at 6:30 PM
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Ladies Cookie Exchange - Saturday, January 10 | 6pm Upper Lobby
All ladies 18 and over are welcome and encouraged to join us. Please bring at least two dozen cookies to exchange.
We will be revealing Secret Sisters from 2025 and assigning new Secret Sisters for 2026.
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Love Languages Date Night with Dr. Gary Chapman - Friday, January 16 | 7 - 9 PM
at Salt & Light Church
Free Event - Register here
Discover how to better understand, communicate and express love.
Learn practical tools to strengthen your relationship.
Reconnect with your spouse and enjoy a meaningful evening together.
Volunteers Needed
Greeters to welcome attendees to Salt & Light
Concession Stand
If you can serve as a greeter or in the concession stand, please contact Sally Moriarty 502-216-3868
Parking Lot Attendants - assist with parking cars of the 400-500 people expected to attend.
To serve parking cars, please text Karen Shelton 502-639-6558 or on Signal
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Youth Camp - June 12–16, 2026
5 days of fun and fellowship—lake swimming, staying up late, eating too many snow cones, and most importantly, growing in God’s Word.
Students 12 years old (by June 12 and have completed 6th grade) through high school may attend.
A $5 registration fee is required to hold your spot.
Total cost is $400 per student - $75 is due February 16th and the remaining balance of $325 is due May 18th. All camp payments are non-refundable.
Register Here
If the cost of camp is a hindrance to your student’s attendance, please see Paul Thomas or email Youth@SaltandLightKy.org
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Young Adults | Next Chapter (Ages 18-31)
For anyone around 18–31 who wants to stay connected, build friendships, and grow in faith together.
Signal Group - to request to join and stay in the loop or with questions - text Joshua Rieth 502-230-6629 or Kaiden Perrodin 502-663-3681
Bible Study - Sundays | 10:05 - 10:45 AM - Meets near the Library
Currently studying Colossians
Questions? Email Cheri Grinnell - Cheri@SaltandLightKY.org
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Lee Corps - Tuesdays | 7 - 9 PM Upper Lobby
Lee Corps provides a youth led, adult facilitated, Christian cadet program to foster leadership and a love for Christ in our community’s youth, ages 12-18. They excel in leadership and military skills preparation with a Christian worldview to serve their country and communities through training in tactics and field training, Christian apologetics, marksmanship, physical conditioning, and much more.
Lee Corps is not associated with or a ministry of Salt & Light Church but uses our facilities for their weekly training and welcomes interested young people to attend. No registration required.
Younger youth are welcome if they can sit through and be engaged in the presentations.
For more information LeeCorps.org or contact LtCol (Ret) Michael Muller (270) 300-1571 _________________________________________________________
Serving Opportunities & Needs
Building Fund - All Glory to God! The $200,000 Building Purchase Payment due 12/31 was generously given and is fully funded. Thank you for being a part of what God is doing at Salt & Light.
The building purchase and maintenance needs continue in 2026. Thank you for prayerfully considering giving an offering toward the property purchase. Please memo your offerings “Building Fund”.
In 2021, when Salt & Light outgrew our former location, God provided the beautiful 71 acre property with a former horse auction facility and barn where we now gather as a church family.
We entered a lease to own agreement with a payment due December 31 of each year until the purchase is complete. Monthly rent and all improvements and repairs the church invests in the property is also credited toward the purchase.
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Recurring Monthly Giving - As the Lord continues to grow His work among us, one way many choose to serve is through recurring monthly giving. This helps provide steady support for the ministry and allows us to plan wisely while trusting God completely.
If you’re interested, you can explore this option through our online giving page by scanning the QR code or visiting the website. Thank you for your faithfulness. "God truly does fund what He calls."
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Security Team - Volunteers are needed to serve on the Salt & Light Security Team.
Please text Mike Muller 270-300-1571
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Food Pantry
Bible Donations - The Food Pantry gives a Bible to many of our visitors. Children’s Bibles are especially popular.
We are not requesting purchasing Bibles. If you have gently used Bibles that you no longer use or that your children have aged out of, it would be a blessing if you could donate them for us to share.
To restock the pantry shelves, the following items are needed:
Pasta & pasta sauce
Jelly
Frozen chicken
Frozen pizza
Frozen lasagna
Hamburger helper
Chef Boyardee
Spam
Pancake mix
Syrup
Milk - Half Gallon
Eggs
Butter
Please place food and Bibles in bags labeled “Food Pantry” on the hospitality counter near the Coffee Bar. Please ask the Coffee Bar Volunteers to place perishable items in the refrigerator.
Thank you for donating and praying for this ministry!
If you are in need of food or know someone in need, please text Courtney Day 502-648-5447 for a private appointment to shop in the pantry.
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Children’s Ministry
Teachers for 4-6 year old class - 11a Sundays
Music with the Children - if you are musically gifted, we would love for you to teach and sing Bible songs with the children twice each month or as you have time to share.
Substitute and Rotational Teachers are needed to fill in for 1 class or multiple weeks when regular teachers are unavailable or to give them a break for a month or so.
Special Needs - Volunteers are needed to serve as one-on-one buddies in class with children with special needs.
For More Details - text Jessica Walker 502-365-0839
Greet and Check-In children and their families to the nursery and their classes when they arrive on Sunday morning and/or Wednesday evening. Text Debbie Duvall 502-321-8798
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Salt & Light Academy
Classroom Build Supplies Needed - new classrooms have recently been constructed and a few items are needed to complete the project. If you have any of these items you could donate, know a donor, or would like to give money to purchase supplies, please see the listing of needed items here.
Questions contact Kurt Shelton 502-387-0960
Lunch & Recess Volunteers - Interact with and help the children to give the teachers a planning period. A background check is required. Email Michelle Elliott michelle.elliott@saltandlightacademy.com
Please continue to pray, promote, and support Salt and Light Academy. Your ongoing giving keeps the school fully funded and tuition-free, and every gift matters.
One-time or auto pay weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly donations may be made or set up online Here
Donations of needed supplies for classes and the office are greatly appreciated. You can view and give through our Amazon Wish List
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Wednesday Dinner
Volunteers are needed to assist with food prep at Katie’s house in Shelbyville on Tuesday and/or Wednesday.
We don't need a weekly commitment, anything you can do to lend a hand will be greatly appreciated!
Contact Katie Anasis by call or text 937-441-4225. Thanks so much!
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Salt & Light Library
Open Sundays 8:30 - 11 AM and 15 min after service
Wednesdays 5 - 7 PM and 15 min after service
Volunteers Needed - Text Sharon Holbert 502-235-6687
Book Donations appreciated — view our wishlist:
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Family Communication Board
We have a bulletin board in the Upper Lobby inside the main entrance, on the wall above the giving box across from the Connection Point area, for you to post needs you would be blessed to receive and shares you would like to give.
Freely Receive - If you have a need - a service or item or a friend to do something with - please post it on the side of the board labeled “Freely Receive”.
Freely Give – when you have something to give - a lawn mower that still works, furniture you aren't using, a willingness to serve by sharing a skill or some spare time - please post on the side of the board labeled “Freely Given”.
Note papers are in the basket to write your give and receive notes to post on the board.
This is not a buy, sell, or trade board, but a family sharing board.
The only money that should be exchanged would be a paycheck if you are offering to hire someone.
Check our family sharing board often, there may be a message that will be a blessing for you!!
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Care Ministry
If you are in need of care (hospital, long-term facility, homebound), please contact Salt & Light at 502-265-6828
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Stay Connected – Join Our Facebook Groups
Stay encouraged and connected!
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Have an Announcement of an Event or Volunteer Need?
Please email new submissions by Monday each week to Marie Long at Long12686@gmail.com
Thanks for helping us keep everything clear and timely!